Recreational vehicle camping near Hindman, Kentucky provides access to the mountainous terrain of eastern Kentucky where elevations range from 650 to 1,700 feet. Most rv campgrounds in Hindman, Kentucky and surrounding areas sit along creek beds or lake shores, with summer temperatures averaging 80-85°F during peak camping months. Access roads frequently involve steep grades that require careful navigation, especially after periods of heavy rain.
What to do
Swimming and beach access: Carr Creek State Park Campground offers a 100-yard long beach area with clean, clear water. According to one camper, "There is a beach with swimming and it was nice. We kayaked on the lake and while it was enjoyable there was a lot of trash in the lake."
Kayaking from camp: Paintsville Lake State Park Campground provides easy water access. "The lake is really calm. There are boats coming in and out but not 'traffic' per se, no issues at all kayaking and we went out several times," notes one visitor.
Local historical sites: Visit the nearby Portal 31 exhibition coal mine near Lynch. A camper states, "If you want to see the history of coal production in southeast Kentucky, this is the place. If you (like me) are a highpointer, this site is like 4 miles from KY highpoint, Black Mountain."
Walking trails: Several parks feature accessible trails. One camper at Leeman Field Park mentioned, "There is a gorgeous walking and biking trail beginning at Leeman Field that winds along the river leading to a local grocery store and restaurants."
What campers like
Creek-side camping: Many campgrounds offer sites near running water. At Jessie Lea RV Park and Campground, "Our campsite was on the bank of the river with a fire pit and very level soft ground. About half a mile from a nice little gas station and a KFC as well, which is nice for ice trips or chicken runs."
Clean facilities: Paintsville Lake State Park maintains particularly clean bathhouses. One camper noted, "The restrooms are clean. Three showers. NO ONE other than the tent campers seemed to use the bath house so I never waited for a shower or anything."
Level parking areas: Mountainous terrain makes level sites valuable. At Harlan County Campground-RV Park, "Sites are relatively level and there is a decent amount of space between them. Backing in is quite easy as there is plenty of room to maneuver."
Group facilities: Several parks offer community gathering spaces. According to a visitor at Jessie Lea RV Park, "At the entrance, there is an amazing covered shelter with picnic tables, rocking chairs and grills. The park is well manicured with flowers and trees."
What you should know
Seasonal closures: While most private rv campgrounds near Hindman, Kentucky operate year-round, state parks may have limited seasons. Carr Creek State Park is open April through October, and one visitor mentioned, "We tent camped at Paintsville Lake at one of the hike-in sites at PLSP, #33. This is the first site on your way in."
Bathroom maintenance issues: Facilities vary significantly between parks. At Natural Bridge State Resort Park, "The shower was wimpy at best. Took a long time to coax hot water, and then the flow was very weak."
Wildlife awareness: Proper food storage is essential. A camper warned, "There are raccoons who like to eat so be sure to put your food up at night."
Road conditions: Mountain driving requires caution. At Natural Bridge, "Because of its proximity to Route 11, you will hear road noise at many of the sites, including the tent sites. The cabins are situated further back in the woods, so you won't hear the road noise there."
Tips for camping with families
Beach amenities: Carr Creek State Park features a swimming area suitable for children. A camper notes, "Good size sites, especially the outer part of the loop. The beach is nice but a lot of steps to get down to it."
Playground access: Some parks offer play equipment for children. At Natural Tunnel State Park Campground, "There are playgrounds, a swimming complex, an amphitheater, and much more, some of these venues are closed for the season due to the pandemic."
Educational opportunities: Several parks provide learning experiences. At Natural Tunnel, "There's a museum, several gift shops, camp store, visitor centers. The staff is helpful and friendly. Many educational activities."
Tent camping with kids: Consider proximity to amenities. One family camping at Paintsville Lake mentioned, "I was by myself with my son and dog so I felt more comfortable being here near the bathhouse."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for big rigs: Choose campgrounds that explicitly accommodate larger vehicles. One RVer at Natural Tunnel State Park Primitive Camping shared, "The Lover's Leap campground has space for larger RVs and appears to be the newer of the two campgrounds."
Hookup variations: Electric service ranges from 30-amp to 50-amp. At Firefly Hills, all 15 RV sites include "full hookups including both 30-amp and 50-amp electrical service, each equipped with picnic tables and fire rings."
Pull-through availability: Some parks offer easier access sites. At Middle Fork Campground, "Most are back-in, but the middle row has pull-thru sites, however, if you had a large RV with a toad, you would likely not have room for both in your site."
Fire restrictions: Not all rv campgrounds allow open fires. Portal 31 RV Park specifically prohibits fires while providing electric and sewer connections for larger vehicles.
